Tissue dispensing package



July 22, 1969 T. H PLANNER TISSUE-DISPENSING PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 5, 1968 July 22, 1969 T. H. PLANNER 3,456,844

TISSUE-DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed April 5. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nite tatst 3,456,844 TESSUE DISPENSING PACKAGE Thomas H. Planner, Appleton, Wis,assignor to Kimberly- Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Apr. 5, 1968, Ser. No. 718,991 Int. Cl. B6511 1/04 U.S.Cl. 221-63 12 Ciaims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispensing package fordisposible tissues in which a flat tissue stack is packaged in arectangular carton in which the top wall and sides are transversely andmedially divided by a line of perforations which permit the carton to bebroken in half and folded back on itself to form the tissue stack intoan inverted Uconfiguration. An H-shapecl insert with a central apertureis disposed inside the carton on top of the tissue stack. The ends ofthe H are folded down and disposed along each side of the stack. Whenthe carton is folded back on itself the insert automatically moves outof the opened carton with the tissues to form simultaneously an arcuatecover over the inverted U-shaped tissue stack. The tissues may then bedispensed through the central aperture of the insert. In an alternateembodiment, the top wall of the carton may also be provided with acentral aperture whereby the user has the option of dispensing tissuesfrom the flat carton or from the broken open carton.

Background of the invention Disposable tissues have traditionally beenpackaged in the form of a flat stack of tissues disposed in arectangular paperboard carton. The top wall of the carton is providedwith a precut aperture, Or a manually removable perforated section whichwhen removed forms an aperture, through which the tissues may besequentially or individually withdrawn.

One recent variation from such traditional packages, has been to fold atissue stack transversely in half forming the stack into an invertedU-configuration, and packaging the folded stack in a compact carton tobetter utilize space.

In another variation, the traditional flat carton is used, but thecarton is provided with transverse perforations extending across the topwall and adjacent side walls. These perforations permit the carton to bebroken open and folded back on itself to exposed the tissues and also ation which the tissue stack assumes when the carton is opened and foldedback, is positively supported by the folded bottom wall of the carton,and the tissues are withdrawn from the upwardly disposed closed end ofthe U-shaped stack.

One disadvantage of the latter type package is, that, after it isopened, a major portion of the surface of the top tissue remains exposeduntil used. Another disadvantage is that the ends of the tissue stackoften slip out of the open sections of the folded-over carton when thepackage is first opened, especially those tissues near the top of thestack. When this happens the opened package has an unsightly appearance,and a smooth uninterrupted dispensing action is not possible because ofthe resulting loose ends, especially when interleaved tissues areinvolved, since it is well known that interleaved tissues usuallydispense better when they are subjected to some slight restraint duringwithdrawal.

3,456,844 Patented July 22, 1969 The present invention is particularlydirected to improvements in the latter type package.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide animproved break-open dispensing carton for disposable tissues.

Another object is to provide a break-open dispensing carton forinterleaved disposable tissues which has an improved appearance and moreefficient dispensing action.

Another object is to provide a break-open dispensing carton for tissuesin which the inverted U-shaped tissue stack, formed when the carton isbroken open and folded back, is protectively covered by a dispensingaid, and the relationship between cover and the top tissue isadjustable.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to a dispensing packagefor disposable tissues comprising a flat stack of tissues disposed in arectangular carton which normally is broken open and folded back onitself to prepare the carton for dispensing. Preferably, the tissues areinterfolded, but noninterfolded tissues may also be used. The top wallof the carton is divided by a medial line of weakening extending intoand across both of the adjacent side walls. This line of weakeningpermits the carton to be broken-open medially and folded back on itself.An H-shaped insert of flexible sheet material is disposed between thetop of the stack and the top wall of the carton. The transverse panel ofthe H-shaped insert is of such dimension that it covers the maintransverse area of at least the central top portion of the tissue stack.The top and bottom legs, or extensions, of the H form tabs, or flaps, ofa length which permits them to be folded downwardly for dispositionbetween the side edges of the stack and the side walls of the carton.The main transverse panel of the H is also provided with a centralaperture.

To prepare the package for dispensing, the carton is broken open alongthe transverse perforations and folded back on itself until the foldedportions of the bottom carton panel are in juxtaposition. Means are thenprovided to hold the folded back panel portions in juxtaposition. Thefolding operation causes the tissue stack and the overlying insert tomove outward and to assume an inverted U-configuration with the legs ofthe U disposed in the open ends of the broken open carton, and theclosed end of the U facing upward. The folding operation also causes thelegs of the H-shaped insert, when unattached, to slide up along the sidewalls of the broken open carton adjacent the open ends of the U. Theselegs are preferably in the form of flaps depending from the side ends ofthe insert and serve to hold the insert in an arcuate U-configurationdirectly above the stack, in close, nested association with the toptissue sheet. The top tissue sheet is then easily grasped and dispensedthrough the central aperture in the main transverse portion of theH-shaped insert. The degree of contact between the arcuate or bowedportion of the insert and the tissue stack is easily controlled bysliding the unattached flap-like legs of the insert up and down betweenthe side of the stack of the carton walls in the open portion of thecarton. The above-described package construction provides the openedcarton with means to cover and protect the surface of the top tissue, aswell as enabling the user to obtain better control over the dispensingaction by adjusting the relationship between cover and stack. The openends also give a visual indication of the number of tissues remaining inthe stack.

In another embodiment, the top panel of the carton itself may also beprovided with a pre-cut opening, or a removable perforated section whichprovides such opening when removed. This opening, of course, should becongruent with the opening in the insert. The provision of such anopening enables the user to optionally dispense tissues from the flatcarton or from the brokenopen and folded-back carton.

In still another embodiment, the flaps formed by the legs of the insertmay be fastened to the sides of the carton. In this embodiment, theinsert is transversely corrugated or otherwise foreshortened bygathering of some sort to permit unrestrained expansion when the cartonis opened.

The above and other features, objects and advantages attendant theimproved package of this invention will become apparent by reference tothe following specification and accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawing In the drawing, in which like numbersrepresent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of a carton package made inaccordance with one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the carton package of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one form of the insert used in the carton.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but having one end ofthe carton cut away to show the disposition of the FIG. 3 insert withinthe package between the tissue stack and the carton walls.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the carton of FIG. 4 after it hasbeen broken open and folded back on itself ready for dispensing.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective partially cut-open view of another embodiment inwhich the insert flaps are fastened to the sides of the carton.

FIG. 8 is a perspective partially cut-open view of still anotherembodiment varying somewhat from FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the package of FIG. 8 broken openand folded back on itself ready for dispensing.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of the insert with theright hand portion shown in its expanded form.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate inperspective, the outer appearance of one embodiment of the package ofthis invention.

In the FIG. 1 view of rectangular carton 12, there may be seen top wall13, one side wall 14 and one end wall 15. A transverse line of weakeningis provided by a line of perforations 16 extending across the mid-pointof top wall 13 and both side walls, as shown in the extension of theline 16 through side wall 14.

In the FIG. 2 view, the carton of FIG. 1 is turned over end for end, andthere may then be seen bottom wall 17, the other side wall 18 and theother end wall 19. The extension of line of weakening 16 may be seenhere dividing the other side wall 18 into equal halves. Bottom wall 17,instead of being provided with a line of perforations, rather has amedial transverse score line 20 to facilitate folding thereon when thecarton is broken open on line 16. Bottom wall 17 may also be providedwith a pair of adhesive strips 21 and 22 which are so located as to comeinto contact with each other when the carton is broken open and foldedon line 20. Two strips are required, as shown, when the adhesive is of acohesive nature, i.e., one that sticks only to itself. Such types ofadhesive do not need a protective cover sheet. The adhesive may also beof a pressure sensitive type, in which case only one strip is needed andshould, of course, be covered with a protective sheet of the well-knownpeelable types. Interlocking tabs may also be used.

FIG. 3 is a plan view, illustrating in fiat form an insert of flexiblesheet material, which is disposed on top of the tissue stack andunderneath top wall of the carton in the finished package as seen inFIG. 4. This insert comprises an H-shaped panel 23 in which the H is ofsquat configuration with a wide transverse section 24, and short,flap-like top and bottom extensions or legs 25, 26, 27 and 28. In thisembodiment, the wide transverse section 24, forming the main body of theH, has the approximate shape and dimensions of the top of tissue stack34 (FIG. 4). The short legs of the H, identified by numerals 25, 26, 27and 28 are separated from the main body 24 of the insert by score lines29, 3t), 31, and 32 respectively to facilitate folding thereon to formthe legs into depending flaps. Transverse section 24 of the H also has acentrally disposed aperture 33 provided therein.

In FIG. 4, insert 23 is shown partially exposed and partially by brokenlines, in its proper position within carton 12. Central transversesection 24 of the H is disposed immediately underneath top wall 13 ofthe carton and on top of tissue stack 34. Short legs 26 and 27 of the Hare folded down in the form of rectangular flaps disposed between tissuestack 34 and side wall 14. Short legs 25 and 28 of the H are also foldeddown in the form of rectangular flaps disposed between tissue stack 34and side wall 18, not shown. Aperture 3.3 is disposed underneath thecentral portion of wall 13 and the line of weakening 16, and, in thecut-away section of FIG. 4 the top tissue 34a may be seen therethrough.

FIG. 5 shows the package of FIG. 4 after it has been broken open andfolded back on itself with the folded sections of bottom wall 12 incontact and affixed in that position by suitable means, such as byadhesive strips 21 and 22 shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that, afterthe carton is broken open and folded back on itself, both the tissuestack 34 and the main section 24 of the H- shaped insert assume aninverted U-configuration. Top tissue 34a of the stack is shown partiallydrawn through aperture 33 of the arcuately bowed insert ready forwithdrawal. When the sheets in the stack are interleaved, sequentialdrawing will pull the next tissue through the opening where it will takeup a configuration similar to that shown for tissue 34a. Front legs 26and 27 of the H in the form of flaps as shown by the broken lines, andrear legs 25 and 28, not shown, serve to hold the ends of the arcuatelybowed insert within the open sections of the carton and maintain thearcuate shape. Since the flaps are not attached to the sidewalls in thisembodiment, this arrangement also permits the insert to be moved up anddown with respect to the tissue stack, enabling the user to readilyadjust the amount of frictional contact between the tissues and innersurface of the arcuately bowed insert, as well as between aperture 33and leading tissue 34a. This adjustment feature aids in maintainingefiicient functioning of the dispensing action. For example, as thesupply of tissues are used up, the insert may be pushed farther downinto the open carton to provide continuous contact and better frictionalengagement between the tissues and insert. When the package is firstopened and the tissues are tightly packed, the insert may be movedupward to relieve excessive pressure on the tissues.

In FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown whichpermits the user to dispense tissues from the carton while the cartonremains in its original flat configuration. As shown in this embodiment,there may be seen top wall 130, one side wall 14a, and one end wall 15a.Transverse line of weakening 16a extends medially of top wall 13:: andacross both side walls. The central portion of top wall 13a is providedwith an aperture 35 which is congruent with aperture 33 in the mainpanel 24 of the insert, the latter being visible through aperture 35 andbeing shown by broken lines in other areas. In this arrangement, tissues34a may be pulled through aperture 33 for regular style dispensing fromthe flat package without breaking open the carton along line 16a. Also,at any time while the package is in use, it may be broken open alongline of weakening 16a, whereupon the dispensing arrangement will be asshown in FIG. 5. It will also be seen that at the option of the user,the carton may again be flattened at any time to reassume the shape andfunction shown in FIG. 6.

Aperture 35 in top wall 13a of the carton may be precut and openinitially, or it may be formed by removing a tear-out section of thewall defined by conventional perforations or a line of weakening. When aremovable tear-out section is provided, line 1611 should also extendthrough the removable section so that the carton could be broken openwithout removing that section first, if desired.

In FIG. 7, another embodiment of the invention is shown in which theflaps formed by the legs of the II- shaped insert are fastened to thesides of the carton, and the central portion of the insert isforeshortened by corrugations to allow for expansion of the insert whenthe carton is opened.

In this embodiment, legs 26b and 27b (and the opposing legs on the otherside of the carton) are attached to their associated carton side wall14b near the center of the carton. The central portion of the insert 24bis corrugated sufiiciently, as at 37, to permit expansion of the insertwhen the carton is opened by breaking along perforations 16b. Enoughexpansion length should be built into the corrugations so that theinsert does not exert excessive pressure on the tissues when opened.

In FIG. 8, still another embodiment is shown in which the legs of theinsert are fastened to the carton sides.

In this embodiment legs 26c and 270 (and the opposing legs on the otherside of the carton) are attached to their associated carton side wall14b near the side wall ends. A larger portion of the central portion ofthe insert 240 is corrugated, as at 37c, to permit less restrictiveexpansion when the carton is opened. Since the legs of this insert arefastened near the ends of their respective side walls, the centralportion of the H-shaped insert must necessarily be longer than in theother embodiments to allow for sufiicient expansion when the carton isopened. If the insert is too short, it will press down too tightly onthe tissue stack making dispensing of the first sheets difficult and mayeven cause tearing. When the insert is fastened to the carton sides,care again should be taken to make this dimension of the insert longenough to prevent excessive pressure on the tissues.

In FIG. 9, the package of FIG. 8 is shown after it has been broken openand is folded back on itself to ready the package for dispensing. Itwill be noted that the configuration is similar to that of FIG. 5. Theonly differences are that since the flaps formed by legs 26c and 270 areattached to the side wall near the ends of the carton, the centralportion of the insert must expand instead of sliding upward with thestack. Accordingly, the insert, instead of forming a smooth semi-circleas in FIG. 5, expands its corrugated portion 370 to form a corrugatedsemi-circle over the U-shaped tissue stack. The corrugations do notexpand to a fully flat configuration and therefore still retain someexpansion potential so that they press rather gently against thetissues, offering only sufficient restraint to permit the top tissue 340to be dispensed properly. The natural resilience of the corrugatedportion also allows it to adjust itself downwardly as the tissues areused up, thus continuing to offer the slight frictional resistancedesired for good dispensing action.

While FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show that the foreshortening of the insert isdone by transverse corrugations, it will be seen that other means oftransverse gathering may be used. Flat folds, or pleating near thevicinity of the legs in the H may be used, for example. Creeping of thesheet material is also indicated as useful, another possibility is toprovide the sheet with a plurality of spaced parallel slits which wouldenable the sheet to expand in much the same manner as expanded metalsheeting or steel mesh. The latter embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 10where an insert sheet is shown having a section, shown generally at 41,provided with a plurality of spaced and parallel offset slits. This slitsection, upon breaking open the carton, will expand to resemble expandedsteel mesh as shown generally at 42.

This invention is designed primarily for use with interfolded orinterleaved tissues, but it will be seen that with enlargement of theopening in the central panel of the insert, it may be adapted for usewith tissues which are not interleaved.

The most common, and presently the most economical, material for use inconstructing the carton and insert is llghtweight, paperboard. However,other flexible, formsustaining materials with similar properties, suchas semirigid plastic sheeting, may also be used for carton and insert.In other embodiments the end portions of the H including the legs couldbe of semi-rigid material with the interior portions comprising thinplastic film or foils. Many other combinations are possible.

In addition to cohesive and pressure sensitive adhesives for maintainingthe carton in its open position, other means may be used for thatpurpose. For example, an elastic band may be used to encircle the twohalfs of the opened carton, or flat clothes-pin-like holders may beinserted adjacent the fold line between the folded tissue stack and sidewall. A mechanical tab-locking device may also be built into the carton.Another method might call for a U-shaped or box-like holder in which theopened carton could be inserted.

The aperture in both outer carton and insert may also be of varyingshapes.

Since this package involves using the standard type rectangular outercarton for packaging the tissues, it will be seen that it is readilyadaptable for use with conventional automatic equipment presently usedfor cartoning operations.

While only a limited number of embodiments of the invention have beendescribed above, it is understood that other suitable changes,modifications and variations may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined in'the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispening package for tissue sheets comprising a generallyrectangular carton, a flat stack of tissues disposed therein, and anH-shaped insert disposed between said tissues and said carton; saidcarton having top and bottom walls, a pair of side walls, and a pair ofend walls; a transverse line of weakening extending transversely andmedially of said top wall, and extending into and across each of saidsidewalls; the transverse central portion of said insert being disposedbetween the top of said stack and said top wall and having a centrallydisposed aperture therein; the legs of said insert being folded downwardto form flaps depending therefrom; said flaps being disposed between thesides of said stack and the associated side walls of said carton.

2. The package of claim 1 in which the bottom wall has an adhesivecoating on a portion thereof.

3. The package of claim 2 in which said adhesive is pressure sensitiveand covered by a peelable protective strip.

4. The package of claim 2 in which said adhesive is of a cohesive typeand is disposed thereon as a pair of strips so arranged that when thecarton is broken open on said line of weakening and folded back onitself, said strips will adhere to each other.

5. The package of claim 1 in which said bottom wall has a medial scoreline extending transversely thereof.

6. The package of claim 1 in which said flaps are attached to theirassociated side-wall and at least part of the transverse central portionof said insert is expandable 7. The package of claim 6 in which saidexpandable part comprises transverse corrugations.

8. The package of claim 6 in which said expandable part comprisestransverse pleats.

9. The package of claim 6 in which said expandable part comprises anarea having transversely-spaced paral lel slits, which upon expansionwill cause said area to resemble expanded steel mesh.

10. The package of claim 1 in which the top wall of said carton has apre-cut centrally disposed aperture therein.

11. The package of claim 1 in which the top wall of said carton has amanually removable centrally disposed panel therein defined by acontinuous line of weakening, which upon removal will leave a centrallydisposed aperture in said wall.

12. The package of claim 1 in which said tissues are interleaved.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kingsley 221-59 Spaldo 22147 XGluck 221-63 X Bodette 22l62 X Drees 22134 X Easton et al. 22145 Silver22159 Krake 22148 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner

